Governor Malloy Announces $1.8 Million Grant for St. Vincent’s College

Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced today that the State will provide a $1.8 million grant to St. Vincent’s College for the expansion of the College’s facilities, which will lead to the education of hundreds of more students in nursing and other allied health disciplines annually. The grant comes at a time when the College has expanded its enrollment and course offerings to meet the growing needs of the healthcare marketplace.

"St. Vincent’s has been a partner in helping provide valuable skills in the nursing and healthcare fields to Connecticut residents, and this grant will help the school expand and allow even more course offerings and room for larger enrollment," Governor Malloy said. "Skills learned through institutions like St. Vincent’s are among the reasons why we have one of the most talented workforces in the country."

“The nation is facing shortages in nursing and other healthcare disciplines, especially in Connecticut,” said Susan L. Davis, EdD, RN, president and CEO, St. Vincent’s Health Services. “The Governor understands the issues we face in providing quality health care to the residents of Connecticut, and this grant will enable St. Vincent’s College to offer more students an opportunity for an education.”

Currently, the College enrolls more than 800 students who utilize a 40,000 square foot space adjacent to St. Vincent’s Medical Center. Estimates show that enrollment, which has increased by 180 students in the past 18 months will continue to grow.

“The College has played a significant role in educating students in the Fairfield and New Haven areas for more than a century,” said Martha Shouldis, EdD, president of St. Vincent’s College. “This grant will assist us in expanding our footprint, but it also enables us to educate more healthcare professionals in different disciplines for years to come.”

Understanding the need for a larger footprint, the College in conjunction with the St. Vincent’s Medical Center Foundation, has raised $3.2 million of a $5 million investment needed to renovate the third floor of a recently acquired building two blocks from the current St. Vincent’s College. This $1.8 million grant closes the funding gap to complete the $5 million facility expansion project. By retrofitting the third floor of this property, the College will gain 13,000 square feet of space, which will include new classrooms, laboratories, student study and gathering spaces as well as faculty office space by the fall of 2013.

The additional space will enable the College to add degree programs as well as increase enrollment. Proposed educational programs include a four-year bachelor degree program in nursing, a bachelor degree completion program in radiologic sciences and a bachelor degree completion program in healthcare administration. (Currently, the College offers two online BS degree programs—the RN to BSN completion program and a bachelor of science in radiologic sciences.) Increased enrollment estimates figure at 200 to 400 students by 2017.

“More than 90 percent of St. Vincent’s College students are residents of Fairfield or New Haven Counties at the time of entry. Upon graduation, the majority of them historically remains in Connecticut and seeks out employment in the State; therefore, St. Vincent’s College is poised to be a key player in addressing the healthcare shortages we face,” added Dr. Davis.

Founded in 1905, St. Vincent’s College offers associate in science degrees in nursing, radiography, medical assisting and general studies as well as two online BS degrees, the RN to BSN Completion Program and a bachelor of science in radiologic sciences. Through its continuing education department, the College also offers a wide range of certificate programs leading to immediate employment in the healthcare field. St. Vincent’s College is a subsidiary of St. Vincent’s Medical Center and a member of Ascension Health.

For information on enrolling in St. Vincent’s College, call 800-873-1013 or visit the college website at www.stvincentscollege.edu.